The Yardbirds Songs Ranked
The Yardbirds are an English rock band, formed in London in 1963. The band’s core lineup featured vocalist and harmonica player Keith Relf, drummer Jim McCarty, rhythm guitarist/bassist Chris Dreja, and bassist/producer Paul Samwell-Smith. The band is known for starting the careers of three of rock’s most famous guitarists, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, all of whom ranked in the top five of Rolling Stone magazine’s list of 100 greatest guitarists. The band had a string of hits throughout the mid-1960s, including “For Your Love”, “Heart Full of Soul”, “Shapes of Things” and “Over Under Sideways Down”. Originally a blues-based band noted for their signature “rave-up” instrumental breaks, the Yardbirds broadened their range into pop, pioneering psychedelic rock, and early hard rock; and contributed to many electric guitar innovations of the mid-1960s. Some rock critics and historians also cite their influence on the later punk rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal trends. Following the band’s split in 1968, Relf and McCarty formed Renaissance, and guitarist Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin. The Yardbirds reformed in the 1990s, featuring drummer Jim McCarty and rhythm guitarist/bassist Chris Dreja as the only original members of the band. Dreja left the band in 2012, leaving McCarty as the sole original member of the band present in the lineup Here are all Yardbirds songs ranked.
Never miss out on the songs of the group that launched Rolling Stone’s greatest guitarists, The Yardbirds. Click and enjoy the pioneers of psychedelic rock!
15. I Ain’t Got You (Five Live Yardbirds, 1964)
“This song means so much to me. The lyrics have such a deep meaning. Singing the chorus feels as though I’m screaming at my depression and anxiety to go away and leave me be. I love this song so much.”
14. Jeff’s Blues (Having a Rave Up, 1965)
“There are so many tempo changes, and it is so amazing that I can’t even explain it! If you need to listen to any Yardbirds song, it is definitely this one!”
13. The Train Kept a – Rollin’ (The Yardbirds: Featuring Performances by Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, 1970)
“I need this song like I need oxygen! The key changes and lyrics are amazing! I can honestly tell you, I have been listening to this song on repeat for three weeks.”
12. Stroll On (Blowup, 1966)
“This is one of my all time FAVORITE song! With the sick mic drop in the beginning to the catchy lyrics that is beautiful. I can’t describe it”
See more: The Yardbirds Albums Ranked
11. Shapes of Things (Shapes of Things, 1977)
“Very unique song. Sets them apart from pop artists and groups whose songs all sound the same. Definitely their best song in my opinion.”
10. I Ain’t Done Wrong (25 Greatest Hits, 1992)
“This song is one of their best work ever… The dynamic swings are incredibly well used and flow flawlessly.”
9. Putty (In Your Hands) (Heart Full of Soul, 1965)
“There is no description in the English language that can adequately describe this song, it’s just such a work of art that I don’t think I can do it justice. If you haven’t listened to it yet, stop reading this and go listen to it!”
8. Over Under Sideways Down (Roger the Engineer, 1966)
“This song is amazing and got me into the band. The chorus is awesome and the rap I find very meaningful”
7. Knowing (Roger the Engineer, 1966)
“This song is probably one of their most relatable. It’s the one song that makes me actually sit and think about how much I miss the good old days.”
6. Turn Into Earth (Roger the Engineer, 1966)
“The lyrics are deep and meaningful, and the tune is upbeat and catchy. This is one of my favorite songs of all time.”
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5. Think About It (Little Games, 1967)
“The lyrics can be really meaningful and it’s a really catchy song overall. A booming deep song.. Such an upbeat song with relatable meaning and lyrics.”
4. Heart Full of Soul (Heart Full of Soul, 1965)
“This is my favourite out of all their songs. I can’t believe how different their songs sound compared to one another, it shows just how dynamic the band is.”
3. Still I’m Sad (Shapes of Things, 1977)
“The way the music and the vocals go together is just amazing, and it gives you that really nice feeling that good music should.”
2. Happenings Ten Years Time Ago (Roger the Engineer, 1966)
“This song will always be my favourite of all time. Nothing could change that. The deep and meaningful lyrics and music just blend together perfectly.”
1. For Your Love (For Your Love, 1965)
“Hearing this for the first time has never left me felt so uplifted listening to a song. It made me smile, my heart ache and left my face staring into space full of new feeling that could only be expressed through this song.”